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Home/Homepage/Turkish troops take Syrian town of Ras al-Ain: Defense Ministry

Turkish troops take Syrian town of Ras al-Ain: Defense Ministry

October 13, 201988 Views

ANKARA: Turkey’s defense ministry says its forces have taken control of the Syrian border town of Ras al-Ain from US-backed Kurdish militants.

“As a result of successful operations within the scope of Operation Peace Spring, the town of Ras al-Ain to the east of the Euphrates has been brought under control,” the ministry wrote on Twitter Saturday.

An official of the Kurdish SDF militants, however, said the Syrian city “is still resisting and clashes are ongoing”.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that the town had yet to be completely taken. The London-based monitor said 30 civilians have been killed since the incursion began.

Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad have been the primary focus of Turkey’s incursion launched on Wednesday. They have come under heavy bombardment, prompting tens of thousands of civilians to flee.

According to the observatory, Turkish forces have launched a three- pronged operation against Ras al-Ain under the cover of heavy artillery fire and airstrikes.

The self-proclaimed Kurdish-led authority in northeastern Syria said more than 191,000 people have been displaced as a result of the Turkish invasion.

The offensive, it said, has caused successive waves of displacement from the city of al-Malikiya to Kobani, known also as Ayn al-Arab.

Turkey-backed militants said on Saturday they have cut the 712 road that links Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ain. A militant spokesman claimed 18 villages have been captured in the advance.

The road hugs the border in some places and in others extends a number of kilometers (miles) into Syria.